In Which I Think About My Illustrious Career

I sort of consider managing Connor's care to be my job.  I would totally put it on a resume, but I'm not sure what job title I would put down, as it sort of depends on how belligerent I'm having to be over the phone.  Secretary?  Advocate?  Brute Squad?  Any one of those could apply on any given day.

This morning I was mostly filling the secretary roll.  First I called the hospital on post and made a few more appointments for Connor.  Then I called the oxygen company and arranged for them to deliver a portable oxygen tank to Connor's school, as they'd like to have one on hand.  The equipment delivery service didn't have a copy of Connor's orders, so I called the school and had them fax one over.  Next I called the neurologist's office because I hadn't heard back from them yet.  The nurse e-mailed the doctor, and he got back to me and upped Connor's medication.  He also wanted me to make an appointment, though, so I called the appointment line for THAT hospital, made an appointment for June, and then got on the waiting list for May just in case something opens up sooner.  Then I ran out to the store for some Benadryl to drop off at the school for Connor's medical kit.  Then it was time to pick Connor up from class.

I mean, these are useful job skills here.  I'm learning patience, the ability to withstand up to forty minutes of on-hold music at a time, and that when being nice and having people skills fails, calling someone eight billion times will usually make them do something to get you to shut up and go away (I tend to use that strategy as a last resort as I find it about as pleasant as the person on the other end of the line).  I think that as a general rule, parenthood is a vastly overlooked training ground for valuable job skills, and it should receive much more weight as a job description than it does.  I mean, think about it: you're totally, completely responsible for one or possibly more human beings who are constantly watching you and who are storing away your every mistake as possible fodder for therapy later on.  You get virtually no vacation time, frequently deal with hazerdous materials, and are constantly on call.  Talk about working under pressure!  Surely that should count for some major points there.  Of course the perks are pretty good too, but that's beside the point.

Not that I'm looking to get a job any time soon.  I'm perfectly happy staying home with Connor, thank-you-very-much.  But it's interesting to think about, since I now have a four year gap in my working time and it will no doubt be several years more until I think about rejoining the work force.

Maybe the Brute Squad will be hiring.

~Jess